sexual abuse

abuse

domestic abuse abuse of a person by another person with whom the victim is living, has lived, or with whom a significant relationship exists. The abuse may take the form of verbal abuse, sexual abuse, physical battering, or psychological (emotional) unavailability. Abuse is a learned behavior and has an escalating cycle; abusive behavior cuts across all racial, ethnic, educational, and socioeconomic boundaries.

drug abuse see drug abuse.

elder abuse maltreatment of an older adult, ranging from passive neglect of needs to overt mental, physical, or sexual assault.

physical abuse any act resulting in a nonaccidental physical injury, including not only intentional assault but also the results of unreasonable punishment.

sexual abuse any act of a sexual nature performed in a criminal manner, as with a child or with a nonconsenting adult, including rape, incest, oral copulation, and penetration of genital or anal opening with a foreign object. The term also includes lewd or lascivious acts with a child; any sexual act that could be expected to trouble or offend another person when done by someone motivated by sexual interest; acts related to sexual exploitation, such as those related to pornography, prostitution involving minors, or coercion of minors to perform obscene acts.

substance abuse a substance use disorder characterized by the use of a mood or behavior-altering substance in a maladaptive pattern resulting in significant impairment or distress, such as failure to fulfill social or occupational obligations or recurrent use in situations in which it is physically dangerous to do so or which end in legal problems, but without fulfilling the criteria for substance dependence. Specific disorders are named for their etiology, such as alcohol abuse and anabolic steroid abuse. DSM-IV includes specific abuse disorders for alcohol, amphetamines or similar substances, cannabis, cocaine, hallucinogens, inhalants, opioids, PCP or similar substances, and sedatives, hypnotics, or anxiolytics. See also drug abuse.

do·mes·tic vi·o·lence

(dō-mes'tik vī'ō-lens),

Intentionally inflicted injury perpetrated by and on family member(s); varieties include spouse abuse, child abuse, and sexual abuse, including incest. Various kinds of abuse, such as sexual abuse, also happen outside the family unit. The American Medical Association and similar organizations outside the U.S. have issued advisory notices to physicians on the detection and treatment of domestic violence.

sexual abuse

n.

Criminal sexual activity, especially that involving a victim below the age of sexual consent or incapable of sexual consent.

sexual abuse

the sexual mistreatment of another person by fondling, rape, or forced participation in unnatural sex acts or other perverted behavior. Victims tend to experience a traumatic feeling of loss of control of themselves.

Paediatrics The inappropriate exposure of a child to sexual acts or materials, the passive use of children as sexual stimuli for adults, and actual sexual contact between children and older people.

The term can also encompass elderly and vulnerable adults

sexual abuse

Pediatrics '…inappropriate exposure of a child to sexual acts or materials, the passive use of children as sexual stimuli for adults, and actual sexual contact between children and older people. Sexually abused children, in addition to their depressive and aggressive Sx, have an increased frequency of anxiety disorders and problems with sex role and sexual functioning.'; SA is also defined as '… sexual contact with a child that occurs as a result of force or in a relationship where it is exploitative because of an age difference or caretaking responsibility;' the activities displayed by the offender range from exhibitionism to intercourse. See Child abuser, Child sexual abuse, Domestic violence.

do·mes·tic vi·o·lence

(dŏ-mĕs'tik vī'ŏ-lĕns)

Intentionally inflicted injury perpetrated by and on family member(s); varieties include spouse abuse, child abuse, and sexual abuse, including incest. Various kinds of abuse (e.g., sexual abuse) also happen outside of the family unit.

sexual abuse

Subjection of any person, but especially a minor, to sexual activity likely to cause physical or psychological harm. See also CHILD ABUSE, RAPE.

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